Clothing 👚 for study abroad

• Underwear (2 weeks’ worth)
• Socks (2 weeks’ worth)
• Long-sleeved shirts or blouses
• Short-sleeved shirts or blouses
• Sweaters, hoodies or sweatshirts (2 or 3)
• Jeans, chinos or khakis (2 or 3 pairs)
• Shorts or skirts
• Belts
• Jackets or coats (2 or more, depending on your destination’s climate)
• Shoes (at least 2 pairs)
• Pyjamas
• Swimsuit or swimming trunks
• Sports clothes for working out
• Flip-flops or rubber sandals (especially if you will be sharing showers / bathrooms)
• If you travel to a cold location:
– Thermal underwear
– Woolen over-socks
– Gloves or mittens
– Hat / Cap
– Scarf
Remember also to bring face masks, as these may be mandatory to wear in public or in shops in many countries. Check in advance if you need FFP2 or surgical masks, or if a cloth mask is also sufficient.

Electronics 💻 for study abroad

• Smartphone with charger
• Notebook/laptop with charger
• Power outlet adapters in case your destination’s power outlets and voltages are different (ideally 2 or more)
• Camera with case and charger
• Flash drives, USB sticks, memory cards
• E-reader with charger
• Powerbank

Medicine 💊 and toiletries 🪥 for study abroad

• You should pack some medicine, especially if you need to take something on prescription. It may take a while to be in the healthcare system in your host country, so make sure you have enough.
• Also, make sure you are allowed to bring the medicine into the country – ideally, contact your host country’s embassy in your home country
• When it comes to toiletries, only pack your essentials for a few days. Anything beyond that you are better off buying in your host country. That way you’ll save room in your luggage.
• Remember the rules for liquids in your cabin luggage: You can only bring liquids in 100 ml containers, with no more than 10 items in a small transparent plastic bag. Anything else you should put into the suitcase that you check in. Security personnel at airports will not argue with you if you break this rule – they will simply throw away your liquids.
– Transparent plastic bag for hand luggage toiletries
– Toothbrush
– Toothpaste
– Shower gel, soap
– Shampoo and conditioner
– Deodorant and perfumes
– Shaver, razors, shaving cream
– Contact lenses and contact lenses liquid
– Nail clippers
– Comb or hairbrush
– Makeup
– Contraceptives
– Tampons or pads (a month’s worth)
– Some tissues and toilet paper
– Prescription medicine
– Bandages
– Anti-allergy medicine
– Hand sanitiser
Other items for studying abroad
• Backpack – something to use as your hand luggage, and daily at university
• Passport
• Student visa
• Credit card
• Travel itinerary
• Flight tickets
• Boarding passes
• Student card (ISIC)
• Health insurance card or a copy of your travel health insurance
• Doctor’s note for prescription medicine etc. – have all of these in your hand luggage!
• Purse and/or wallet – Around 100-200 EUR in cash for when you arrive (or the equivalent, if euros are not the local currency)
• Glasses
• Sunglasses
• Essential jewelry you cannot live without – but nothing too valuable!
• Sleeping bag, depending on where you will stay or what your travel plans are Padlock, especially if staying at a hostel
• A journal to take notes
• A dictionary for the local language

Things you should rather buy in your host country
Don’t bring everything! There are a few things that would take up a lot of space in your luggage, but would be relatively cheap to buy after you have arrived in your host country. If you have gone through our packing list and still have room, pack them; otherwise, take care of those items after arrival:
• Linens, bed sheets, blanket, pillow
• Towels and facecloths
• Laundry bag
• Toiletries you did not pack
• Essential course textbooks
• Office supply – paper, pens, folders
• Seasonal clothing and shoes you did not bring
• Blowdryer
• Umbrella

Use your hand luggage for some essentials
It is sad, but true: Airlines sometimes lose checked luggage – and if they are able to track it down, it may take a few days before you receive it back. Prepare for that scenario:
Have a name tag on or in your luggage, and use a colourful luggage strap or something else to make your suitcase stand out visually. This will help the airline track it down.
Pack some of your essentials in your hand luggage, as well as your documents and your valuables, and some underwear – just in case.